| Six days, Class III-IV
Value Season Departure
Dates
May 28; June 6, 15; August 11, 19
Price
$1982
|
Peak Season Departure Dates
June 24; July 2, 10, 18, 26;
August 3
Price
$2197 |
 A visit
to Idaho makes one feel like they have just stepped back into an
America that existed several hundreds of years ago – an
intensely wild and beautiful land not yet touched by modern
development. Idaho is one of the country’s final frontiers,
showcasing miles of protected wilderness areas that show very little
change since they first appeared on the U.S. map. Amongst the valleys,
mountains, forests and canyons of these wild regions lie a multitude of
opportunities for almost any outdoor adventure imaginable –
hiking, climbing, mountain biking, skiing, and our favorite - rafting
on the nearly 3,100 miles of rushing water that pulse through the
states backcountry.
Idaho's rivers allow us to gain access to some of
the most natural terrain in the state. The region is home to rich flora
and fauna life, a large network of backcrountry trails, and some of the
nation’s most outstanding whitewater. Of all the rivers that
make their way through Idaho, possibly the most spectacular is the
Middle Fork section of the Salmon River. Thought to be the state's blue
ribbon river, it boasts Class III-IV whitewater one after the other,
hot springs, and first class fishing. Add to this the scenery
– green meadows that reach towards the base of incredible
mountains, canyons ribboned by waterfalls, richly colored green
woodlands and grassy hills covered with wildflowers and the beauty and
diversity of the Middle Fork becomes overwhelming. Join O.A.R.S. DORIES
and experience what a great river vacation on this breathtaking Region
can be like.
Why the Middle Fork Salmon?
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River is one of the premier alpine river
trips in the country. Join us to see why this superlative adventure is
becoming as legendary as rafting through the Grand Canyon.
WHITEWATER
• Rated a Class IV river, the Middle Fork of the
Salmon boasts more rapids than any river of a similar length in the
U.S. – over 100 rapids in the dame number of miles. At each
turn a new tributary joins the river, the Middle Fork changes
dramatically from a large creek to a thundering river, and has plenty
of rolling wave trains and intense drops to show for it.
FISHING AND SPECIALTY TRIPS
• The fish begin to run when the big waters of the
Middle Fork begin to slow – typically in July. The Middle
Fork Salmon supports a catch & release fishery for the Blue
Ribbon trout, and the river is teeming with these 12-15 inch beauties.
This is ideal for the avid angler in you.
• Autumn is the best time to take advantage of the
rivers prime fishing. During the months of September and October, there
is a significant decrease in exposing dozens of trout-filled pools that
provide even more opportunities to cast a line. We also offer
fly-fishing departures during these months.
• Ask us about our Women-Only Fishing
Adventure in September.
 GEOGRAPHY
• The ever changing terrain is one of the most noted
highlights of the Middle Fork Salmon. Beginning at an elevation of 6000
feet, the Middle Fork starts as a high alpine river. As it continues,
the landscape changes drastically as the river moves through open
grasslands, forested hills, and lastly into a narrow gorge dubbed the
Impassable Canyon. Along our route, fern filled creeks, and waterfalls
meet the river, beaches flank its shores, and hot springs offer a
refreshing break from the running rapids.
NATIONAL WILD & SCENIC RIVER
• The Middle Fork Salmon was placed under Federal
protection in 1968 following the passage of the National Wild and
Scenic Rivers Act. This piece of legislation recognized the river as
having “unusual scientific, aesthetic and recreational
value” and stipulating that it “should be allowed
to remain in a free-flowing state and natural setting without manmade
alteration.” It was one of the first eight rivers that were
granted the designation, and thankfully, its natural features are
preserved to this day.
HISTORY
• Idaho's wilderness areas have remained mostly
unchanged throughout the centuries of western development and
expansion. Sheepeater Indians at one time made their home on Middle
Fork banks, and various relics and pictographs still remain,
recountingtheir pastoral life. Remnants of the Old West days
– such as deserted cabins and mines – also still
exist near the river.
Middle Fork - Sample Itinerary
We pride ourselves in offering relaxed and flexible schedules. Each
trip is different and will ultimately depend on the group, other trips
already on the water and even the weather. The following is what your
trip may be like.
The Day Before Your Trip
We'll meet in the Mountain Village Lodge conference room at 8:00 for a
pre-trip meeting. This is a perfect opportunity to get acquainted with
your guides and fellow travelers and ask any final questions you may
have. Your guides will provide you with a thorough trip orientation
before passing out your waterproof river bags.
Days 1-6
• We'll enjoy a scenic flight
to meet our guides and boats at our launch site. (At certain water
levels, we may be able to put in a little further upstream at Boundary
Creek.) Following safety talk and brief paddling instruction, we enter
into the clear blue waters of the spectacular Middle Fork. Within a
matter of minutes, you'll take on your first rapid, a suitable
introduction to a river whose consistent whitewater doesn't let up
until it joins with the Main Salmon.
• Our high-elevation launch
site allows us breathtaking alpine scenery, and we enjoy our first day
among lush green forests, striking mountains, and crystal clear
waterways that make their way from the woods on into the river. If
circumstances permit, we'll break for an invigorating bathe in one of
the areas many natural hot springs…but only after tackling
big rapids the likes of Ramshord and Velvet Falls.
• Our first day tends to sets
the pace for the following week on the river. Typically, we enjoy a few
hours on the river before lunch, sometimes stopping for a moderate
hike, a visit to an Indian pictograph or to explore a waterfall or hot
spring.. Come lunchtime, we find ourselves on a sandy beach enjoying a
delicious picnic. Once we’ve had our feast and have relaxed
on the beach (or perhaps enjoyed a swim, a walk, or a game of
Frisbee.), we get back into our boats for more exhilarating whitewater.
Take this time to try your hand at our paddleboats or inflatable
kayaks! Towards late afternoon, we make final stop for the day and set
up camp; you grab your gear and set up your tent, and we see to the
kitchen and “living room” – several camp
chairs and the location of tonight's campfire (if permitted). Soon you
are savoring a cold beverage and tasty hors d'oeuvres –
delicious as all of this is, food always seems to taste better after a
day of activity on the river! Read a book, take a cat nap, or relax and
laugh with family and friends while we prepare your evening meal.
Following another satisfying feast, the night is in your hands to spend
as you wish. Music, jokes or stories may bring us together this
evening; or the fire popping in the background, the sounds of the river
and the enormous, star-filled sky may encourage private reflection on
the surrounding wilderness that is, for the time being our home.
• Traveling further along the
river over the next few days, we'll watch the scenery transform from
high mountains into gently rolling hills. Lush forests give way to open
grassland dotted with tall sets of pine. The views are all quite
stunning, and the river action-packed. Huge rapids the likes of Pistol
Creek and Powerhouse are separated by less intense, whitewater in the
form of chutes, wave trains, and drops. Our trip downstream takes us to
more caves decorated by Sheepeater Indians,hot springs, , and the
impressive Veil Falls, a matchless waterfall that drops into a natural
amphitheatre from a towering rock overhang.
• On the final day of our
journey, the Middle Fork pushes into Impassable Canyon, a tight gorge
that produces some of the most intense and uninterrupted whitewater of
the trip. Paddling fast through Rubber, Redside and Hancock rapids,
we’ll take pleasure in the abrupt but spectacular scenery
change as the view moves from forested hills to the steep granite walls
and massive boulders of Impassible canyon. We reach our take-out point
on Day 6 at the rivers confluence with the Main Salmon. Although our
journey has ended and you are leaving the river, we’re sure
that the river will never leave you.
What's Included?
• The trip includes 5 nights camping and 6 days
rafting
• Flight from Stanley to put-in for Indian Creek
launches
• We provide meals from lunch on Day 1 through lunch
on Day 6, with a limited amount of beer & wine at dinner
• Quality expedition equipment, which includes a 2
person shared tent, sleeping bag and pad, life jacket, wetsuits for
paddlers when required and waterproof bags for your gear.
• Skilled professional river rafting guide services
What's Not Included?
• Transportation to Stanley and back from Salmon
• Pre / Post - vacation accommodations and meals
• Any personal items (we will provide you with an
equipment list)
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